Sheet metalware production



Feb. '14, 1939.

G. M. AMBRQSIUS SHEET METALWARE PRODUCTION Filed April 29, 1936 2Sheet-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

w Wm wnwm a a o r n M A a. M m a Z PW Feb. 14, 1939. G. M AMBROSIUSSHEET METALWARE PRODUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 29, 1936ZNVENTOR ATTORNEY);

Patented Feb. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SHEET METALWARE PRODUCTION Application April 29,

11 Claims.

This invention relates to sheet metal ware production, and it is amongthe objects of the invention to provide for special indenting of theedge of headed sheet metal containers, such as grease cartridges, etc.Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described, andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the following description andthe annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, these being indicative however,

of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the inventionmay be employed.

In said annexed drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a plan view of die mechanism embodying the invention; Fig. 2is a vertical section thereof taken on a'plane substantially indicatedby line II, Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 4 are front and rear elevational viewsrespectively; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on a planesubstantially indicated by line VV, Fig. 1, that is the work support isremoved; Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the die in closed position;Fig; '7 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing thework piece in position and in process of die action; and Fig. 8 is anend view of the work piece or product as completed.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a diecomprising a die head or block 2 held by suitable means, as screws 3 tothe support 4. Mounted in. the die head or block is a: set of dieelements 5 which are radially movable and may be in the form ofslide-elements riding in corresponding guide-ways in the die head andarranged to expand to engage the inner periphery of the end of adepressed headed container. 0, Fig. 7. Coacting with the die elements 5'is another set of outer the elements 8 mounted in reciprocable conditionwhereby to move radially, as for instance in guideways in the dieelements 5 and die head. The outer: perip-hery of the internal dieelements 5 have one or more die-recesses 9, and the inner periphery ofthe outer die elements 8 have a corresponding set of die-projections It,whereby to indent or upset inwardly a narrow portion of the headed endof the sheet metal container C, the number of such indentations produceddepending upon the particular number or configuration desired, theillustration showing three equi-spaced indentations d, Fig. 8. Aretaining ring l2 held to the die block by suitable means, as screws l3,serves to retain the movable sets of die. elements 1936, Serial No.76,912

while allowing their radial reciprocative movements. Convenient meansfor automatically separating the inner and outer sets of die elements 5and 8' is provided, and this may be for instance in the form of a springM interposed in a suitable recess and more or less housed between theelements 5 and 8. With such arrangement, the inner and outer dies arenormally separated, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. For actuating ormovingthe inner die elements 5 radially outwardly, a suitable spreadingor thrusting means is provi-ded, and this may take the form for instanceof a tapered plunger 1 5' which is reciprocable centrally" of the dieelements 5 to expand them to their outward position, and such plungermay be reciprocated by suitable means, as for instance the wedge elementH5 carried by die plate ill, and being reciproeably movable therewith bysuitable reci'procative press means the details of which are immaterial,it being understood that the die plate i l may be secured by its stud itto a suitable reciprocating member of a press, mechanical? or hydraulicor the like, and the other die member 4 is secured to the other jaw ofsuch press.- For returning the spreading plunger it, suitable means areprovided, preferably an automatic means, as for instance a spring 253 ona stemextension 21,. the spring being arranged between the shoulder" 22of the die member and a collar 23 on. the stem 2|. To limit the backmovement of the stem 21 and the plunger it, a stop 24 may be secured tothe die member by suitable means, for instance screw 25. With sucharrangement, the inner die members 5 are spread or moved radiallyoutwardly when the plunger is thrust. against them by the Wedge it, onthe downward movement of the die plate ll, while ontheupward movement ofthe-latter the spring 20 draws the plunger l'5 back and allows the diemembers 15 to contract.

Arranged to cooperate with the movement of the inner die members 5, is asuitable means for moving theouterdie elements 8, and convenientlythissmay take the form of cam operating means, such as an annular member28 having cam races 2.!- bearing on the outer die elements 8, the latterhaving suitably-- contoured coacting faces. The cam annulus 28 isconveniently also mounted in position by, the retaining ring it, the camannulus being suitably shouldered as at 38 therebehind, suchas toprevent disassembly but allow of rotary or oscillating movement of thecam annulus as. mounted: by the retaining ring. For oscillative.movement of the cam annulus 'a laterally projecting arm 3l is arrangedto receive rocking movement by suitable means, for instance a link 32mounted on the die plate I1 and being reciprocable therewith. Desirably,a small amount of lost motion is permitted, for instance by a connectionthrough slot 33 in the link and pin 34 on the arm 3|. With this, theoperation of the respective portions of the die mechanism can besuitably timed, the wedge element l6 beginning its operation ofexpanding the inner die elements suitably in advance of the closing ofthe outer die elements.

The general operation will be understood from the foregoing. With thedie open or in the position shown in Fig. 2, the operator sets a blankon the work support 36, this being of suitable holding form, forinstance trough-like, as shown more fully in the end view Fig. 3. Theblank comprises a sheet metal tubular body 31 and a depressed head 38flanged together. With the edge thereof in position against the dieblock 2 and the die plate [1 coming into reciprocativemovement, thewedge member I6 is thrust against the spreading plunger l5 whichthereupon spreads the radially-movable inner die elements 5 to theirouter position against the inner periphery of the depressedcontainer-head 38, as seen in Fig. '7. With the internal die elements 5thus in position against the work-piece, the further descent of the dieplate I! causes the link 32 to rock the arm 3| and thereby oscillate thecam annulus 28, whereupon the cam races 29 force the outer die elements8 to their inner or closed position, and the die projections Hi thereofthrust inwardly against the periphery of the end of the work piece andforce the metal thereof into the die recesses 9 of the internal dies,thereby forming the indents d as shown in Fig. 8. With the raising ofthe die plate ll, the cam annulus 28 is turned and the cam races thereofmoved away from the external die elements 8, and the wedge member l6withdraws from the spreading plunger [5, allowing the spring 20 to pullthe latter back, and spring means l4 spreads and opens the die couple,whereupon the completed work C is withdrawn by the operator and a newblank substituted, and the operation repeated, etc.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed,change being made as regards the details described, provided thefeatures stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent ofsuch, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention:-

1. In mechanism of the character described, a die block, internal dieelements radially expandible to engage the inner periphery of the end ofa depressed headed sheet metal container, three equi-spaced outwardlydirected narrow dierecesses in said die elements, a tapered plungerreciprocable centrally of said die elements to expand the same, a wedgemember reciprocable transversely to operate said tapered plunger, springmeans for withdrawing said tapered plunger when said wedge member is inits remote position, outer die elements movable radially to close in onthe outside of the headed container opposite said first-named dieelements, die projections on said outer die elements to mate with theoutwardly directed die recesses on said inner die elements, spring meansfor separating the outer and inner die elements, an annular member withinternal cam races bearing on said outer die elements, an arm projectinglaterally from said member, a link and a lost motion pin and slotconnection between said link and said arm, actuating means in commonconnected to said link and the aforementioned wedge member, a retainingring forwardly of said movable die elements, and a work supportforwardly thereof.

2. In mechanism of the character described, a die block, internal dieelements radially expandible to engage the inner periphery of the end ofa depressed headed sheet metal container, outwardly directed narrowdie-recess means in said die elements, a tapered plunger reciprocablecentrally of said die elements to expand the same, a Wedge memberreciprocable transversely to operate said tapered plunger, spring meansfor withdrawing said tapered plunger when said wedge member is in itsremote position, outer die elements movable radially to close in on theoutside of the headed container opposite said first-named die elements,die projections on said outer die elements to mate with the outwardlydirected die recesses on said inner die elements, spring means forseparating the outer and inner die elements, an annular member withinternal cam races bearing on said outer die elements, an arm projectinglaterally from said member, a link and a. lost motion pin and slotconnection between said link and said arm, actuating means in commonconnected to said link and the aforementioned wedge member, a retainingring forwardly of said movable die elements, and a work supportforwardly thereof.

3. In mechanism of the character described, internal die elementsradially expandible to engage the inner periphery of the end of adepressed headed sheet metal container, outwardly directed narrowdie-recess means in said die elements, a tapered plunger reciprocablecentrally of said die elements to expand the same, a wedge memberreciprocable transversely to operate said tapered plunger, spring meansfor withdrawing said tapered plunger when said wedge member is in itsremote position, outer die elements movable radially to close in on theoutside of the headed container opposite said first-named die elements,die projections on said outer die elements to mate with the outwardlydirected die recesses on said inner die elements, spring means forseparating the outer and inner die elements, an annular member withinternal cam races bearing on said outer die elements, an arm projectinglaterally from said member, a link and a lost motion pin and slotconnection between said link and said arm, actuating means in commonconnected to said link and the aforementioned wedge member, and a worksupport forwardly thereof.

4. In mechanism of the character described, a die block, internal dieelements radially expandible to engage the inner periphery of the end ofa depressed headed sheet metal container, outwardly directed narrowdie-recess means in said die elements, a tapered plunger reciprocablecentrally of said die elements to expand the same, a wedge memberreciprocable transversely to operate said tapered plunger, spring meansfor withdrawing said tapered plunger when said wedge member is in itsremote position, outer die elements movable radially to close in on theoutside of the headed container opposite said firstnamed die elements,die projections on said outer die elements to mate with the outwardlydirected die recesses on said inner die elements, spring means forseparating the outer and inner die elements, an annular member withinternal cam races bearing on said outer die elements, an arm projectinglaterally from said member, a link connected to said arm, actuatingmeans in common connected to said link and the aforementioned wedgemember, and a work support forwardly of the die block.

5. In mechanism of the character described, a die block, internal dieelements radially expandible to engage the inner periphery of the end ofa depressed headed sheet metal container, outwardly directed narrow dierecesses in said internal die elements, a tapered plunger reciprocablecentrally of said die elements to expand the same, a wedge memberreciprocable transversely to operate said tapered plunger, spring meansfor withdrawing said tapered plunger when said wedge member is in itsremote position, outer die elements movable radially to close in on theoutside of the headed container opposite said firstnamed die elements,die projections on said outer die elements to mate with the outwardlydirected die recesses on said inner die elements, spring means forseparating the outer and inner die elements, an annular member withinternal cam races bearing on said outer die elements, an arm projectinglaterally from said member, a link connected to said arm, and actuatingmeans in common connected to said link and the aforementioned wedgemember.

6. In mechanism of the character described, a die block, internal dieelements radially expandible to engage the inner periphery of the end ofa depressed headed sheet metal container, and means for inwardlyoffsetting spaced portions of the extending free end edge of thedepressed headed sheet metal container, including outwardly directednarrow die-recesses in said internal die elements, a tapered plungerreciprocable centrally of said die elements to expand the same, a Wedgemember reciprocable to operate said ta.- pered plunger, spring means forwithdrawing said tapered plunger when said wedge member is in its remoteposition, outer die elements mov able radially to close in on theoutside of the headed container opposite said first-named die elements,die projections on said outer die elements to mate with the outwardlydirected die recesses on said inner die elements, an annular member withinternal cam races bearing on said outer die elements, an arm projectinglaterally from said member, a link connected to said arm, and actuatingmeans in common connected to said link and the afore-mentioned wedgemembar.

7. In mechanism of the character described, a die block, internal dieelements radially expandible to engage the inner periphery of the end ofa depressed headed sheet metal container, and means for inwardlyoffsetting spaced portions of the extending free end edge of thedepressed headed sheet metal container, including outwardly directednarrow die-recesses in said internal die elements, a tapered plungerreciprocable centrally of said die elements to expand the same, a Wedgemember reciprocable to operate said tapered plunger, means forwithdrawing said tapered plunger when said Wedge member is in its remoteposition, outer die elements movable radially to close in on theoutside. of the headed container opposite said first-named die elements,die projections on said outer die elements to mate with the outwardlydirected die recesses on said inner die elements, an annular member withinternal cam races bearing on said outer die elemerits, an armprojecting laterallyfrom said member, and means iii-common for operatingsaid arm and the afore-mentioned wedge memher.v

8. In mechanism of the character described, a die block, internal dieelements radially expandible to engagetheinner periphery of the end of adepressed headed sheet metal container, and means for inwardlyoffsetting spaced portions of the extending free end edge of thedepressed headed sheet metal container, including outwardly directednarrow die-recesses in said internal die elements, means to operate saiddie elements, a tapered plunger reciprocable centrally of said dieelements to expand the same, a wedge member reciprocable to operate saidtapered plunger, means for withdrawing said tapered plunger when saidwedge member is in its remote position, outer die elements movableradially to close in on the outside of the headed container oppositesaid first-named die elements, die projections on said outer dieelements to mate with the outwardly directed die recesses on said innerdie elements, an annular member with internal cam races bearing on saidouter die elements, and means for actuating said annular member and theafore-nentioned wedge member. 9. In die mechanism of the characterdescribed, internal die elements radially expandible to engage the innerperiphery of the end of a depressed headed sheet metal container, andmeans for inwardly offsetting spaced portions of the extending free endedge of the depressed headed sheet metal container, including outwardlydirected narrow die-recesses in said internal die elements, means tooperate said die elements, a tapered plunger reciprccable centrally ofsaid die elements to expand the same, a wedge member reciprocable tooperate said tapered plunger, means for withdrawing said tapered plungerwhen said Wedge member is in its remote pcsition, outer die elementsmovable radially to close in on. the outside of the headed containeropposite said first-named die elements, die projections on said outerdie elements to mate with the outwardly directed die recesses on saidinner die elements, an annular member with internal cam races bearing onsaid outer die elements, and means for actuating said annular member andthe aforementioned wedge member.

10. In die mechanism of the character described, internal die elementsradially expandible to engage the inner periphery of the end of adepressed headed sheet metal container, and means for inwardlyoifsetting spaced portions of the extending free end edge of thedepressed headed sheet metal container, including outwardly directednarrow die-recesses in said in ternal die elements, means to operatesaid die elements, a tapered plunger reciprocable centrally of said dieelements to expand the same, a wedge member reciprocable to operate saidtapered plunger, means for withdrawing said tapered plunger when saidWedge member is in its remote position, outer die elements movableradially to close in on the outside of the headed container oppositesaid first-named die elements, die profor inwardly offsetting spacedportions of the extending free end edge of the depressed headed sheetmetal container, including outwardly directed narrow die-recess means insaid internal die elements, outer die elements movable radially to closein on the outside end of the headed container opposite said first-nameddie elements,

die projection means on said outer die elements to mate with theoutwardly directed die recess means on said inner die elements, andmeans for operating the die elements against the edge of the head of asheet metal container.

GEORGE M. AMBROSIUS.

